LANSING, MI – LEAP and Spartan Innovations have launched a new, monthly mentor program for greater Lansing entrepreneurs.The first event was held after March’s Hatching, and featured fun and informal networking and a matching session for entrepreneurs and startups in all business phases to connect with one another.

At the first event, more than 25 student and community entrepreneurs were in attendance, sharing their business ideas, the challenges they face and discovering together, the support that could be provided by mentors.

“We are eager to offer more programming along these lines, to expand greater Lansing’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Quin Stinchfield, Manager of Business Incubation at LEAP. “We are working hard to provide meaningful support for startups, and this mentoring event meets an identified need.”

“This mentor support program is designed as an entry point for entrepreneurs who are looking for startup resources. By following the Hatching event, this opportunity piggybacks off of an already existing networking event and allows entrepreneurs and experts to come together each month,” added Jeff Smith, Director of the New Economy Division at LEAP.

According to the Startup Genome Project, startups are seven times more likely to raise investment money and three-and-a-half times more likely to grow user numbers for their products and services if they have helpful mentors.

“We’re working together to develop programs that can help new businesses get off the ground faster,” shared Paul Jaques, Director of Student and Community Engagement at Spartan Innovations. “This program also provides a way for some of our wisest, most experienced business leaders to help the community on a whole new level.”

For more information on this mentoring opportunity for entrepreneurs and business leaders in the Lansing region, please contact Quin Stinchfield at LEAP, quin@purelansing.com (517) 702-3387 x 206.

###

The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) is a coalition of area leaders committed to building a prosperous and vibrant region where business can thrive. To do this, we help entrepreneurs start new businesses, help existing businesses grow, and attract new businesses to the region. For more information about LEAP, please visit www.purelansing.com.

The MSU Innovation Center combines innovation, technology transfer, start-up support, and a portfolio of dedicated business and community partnerships to bring cutting-edge ideas to the marketplace. Composed of MSU Technologies, Business-CONNECT and Spartan Innovations, the MSU Innovation Center stewards ideas from concept to product, launching more than 120 discoveries into patented products and start-up businesses annually. Learn more at http://innovationcenter.msu.edu.